A silent retreat is a defined period in which conversation, screens and everyday stimulation are reduced so we can hear what is usually covered by noise. It is not about emptying the mind or remaining still for hours. Above all, it is a change of pace and attention.
At Semilla we speak of inhabited silence because silence is not an emptiness to endure. It is filled with breath, movement, forest, creativity, music and shared presence. The invitation is not to disappear from the world, but to meet it more consciously.
How a silent retreat unfolds
On a weekend retreat, the first stage is about arriving: meeting the place, receiving clear guidance and gradually entering silence. Practices then give shape to the day without filling it—mindful movement, slow walks, free writing, rest, shared meals and creative invitations. They are not about performance; they are different doors into what is happening now.
On the final day, speech returns with care. Integrating what happened prevents an abrupt return and helps each person recognise one tangible gesture to take home.
What you may feel
There is no correct experience. Some people feel calm within the first hours; others notice fatigue, restlessness or a strong desire to speak. Emotions held in the background by routine may also appear. A safe setting provides guidance, boundaries, rest and support so you do not have to move through this alone.
The aim is not to do it well. It is to be available to listen honestly.
How to prepare
In the days before, ease your schedule, tell people close to you that you will be less available and settle urgent matters. Bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, a warm layer and curiosity. You do not need meditation experience.
If you are in a particularly vulnerable physical or emotional period, speak with the team and your healthcare professional first. A retreat supports wellbeing and self-knowledge; it does not replace medical or psychological care.
Semilla welcomes no more than fifteen people for three days and two nights in nature in Catalonia. To explore whether it is right for you, write to us on WhatsApp.